By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said, on Thursday, that five confirmed infections have been identified among people connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a press briefing on the Hantavirus outbreak that has gripped an Atlantic cruise ship.
“So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths, Ghebreyesus says. Five of these are confirmed cases, while the other three are suspected.
Although none of the passengers or crew currently on board are symptomatic, Ghebreyesus warned more cases may be identified given the incubation period of the virus, which can be up to six weeks.
South Africa has confirmed that British patient who is being treated in a Johannesburg hospital tested positive for the hantavirus. The Netherlands has confirmed the virus in the Dutch woman who died.
Data from maritime analytics provider Marine Traffic shows the ship had been visiting some of the most remote places on Earth, including Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic between Argentina and South Africa.
The hantavirus is largely transmitted through contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents, according to the WHO. Symptoms include fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, a rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock.
Ghebreyesus said, he did not believe a deadly Hantavirus outbreak, which has sparked international alarm, has similarities with the start of the Covid pandemic.
Asked if WHO deemed the Hantavirus situation similar to the emergency at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Ghebreyesus said: “No, I don’t think so.”
The luxury cruise, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, began its journey on 1 April in Ushuaia in southern Argentina, and is due to arrive soon in Spain’s Canary Islands.
About 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries are reported to have initially been aboard the vessel, but dozens disembarked on the island of St Helena on 24 April.
WHO’s Maria van Kerkhove said authorities had asked “everyone to wear a mask” on board the MV Hondius.
Those in contact with or caring for suspected cases, she added, should “wear a higher level of personal protective equipment”.
Earlier on Thursday, Oceanwide Expedition said 29 passengers, of at least 12 different nationalities, had left the MV Hondius in St Helena, the British Overseas Territory. The Dutch government put a number of those who had disembarked the ship at 40, including a Swiss national who has now a confirmed virus case.
St Helena is one of the remotest islands on Earth, at 47sq miles (127 sq km)- a third of the size of the Isle of Wight – with a population of about 4,400 and one hospital.